Thomas Jay Ainsworth

Thomas (Tom) Jay Ainsworth, 73, of Maumee, OH, passed away on January 31 after a years-long battle with Parkinson's and rare autoimmune disease GPA.

Tom was born three minutes after his twin Patricia ("ladies before gentlemen!") on January 24, 1953, to Thomas (Tom) Joseph and Margaret (Margie) Mary Ainsworth in Toledo, OH. Tom and Pat were the original twins of the Toledo Mothers of Twins Club, founded by Margie, which went on to become the national organization Multiples of America.

The family took road trips (all seven family members in one station wagon) across the country as Tom was growing up, which helped spark his life-long love of cars. The Toledo Auto Show was the highlight of his year, and he gathered as many brochures as possible. As a ten-year-old, he would watch busy Monroe Street out his bedroom window and call out the make and model of every car that drove by. It was Pat's job to log each car so Tom could determine the most popular models. He eventually documented his car nuttiness in his book, Car Parts: Finding Lessons and Love from the Car Parts of Life.

Tom attended Christ the King Catholic grade school and graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in 1971. He went on to study Business Administration at the University of Toledo on a Junior Achievement scholarship, and served as president of UT Student Government in 1974-75. Tom worked at several companies across his long career in business, from Perfect Circle Co. in Hagerstown, IN, to Guardian Glass and Trinova near Toledo, to Scott Paper in Chester, PA. He founded People Principles Consulting Company in Houston, TX.

Tom married his former spouse Anne-Marie in 1979. They had four children: Thomas William, Erin Marie, Daniel Joseph, and Matthew Charles. He did his best to pattern his fatherhood on St. Joseph, and guided them with a gentle hand, a patient ear, and an abundance of music.

As time went on, Dee-Dee (the affectionate nickname chosen by the first of the grandkids) attended the University of St. Thomas in Houston before moving to Naperville, IL and then Scottsdale, AR. Dee-Dee ran 3 half-marathons and 5 full marathons during this time, including the famed Chicago and New York City Marathons, as part of Team Fox of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

In 2018, Tom retired to Maumee, OH and cherished spending time with his sisters, family, and friends. He loved to "make memories" with his children and grandchildren, and always had "an extra layer of prayers" going for anyone who needed it. He began attending St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont, OH and found a loving family there in the Men's Group, Exodus 90 both in Fremont and nationally, and the Diocese of Toledo Cursillo group. He also poured himself into managing his Parkinson's at Rock Steady Boxing in Fremont and in Avon, OH, and at the YMCA in Sylvania, OH.

Throughout his life, Tom delighted those around him with his absolute devotion to music. Anyone who ever spent time listening to Tom at the piano was transfixed by the passion he put into each song. He sang and played guitar at church services throughout his life, and was always collecting new songs from the radio, the internet, and friends. His favorite songs spoke of the boundless power of Love and a desire to make the world a better place.

Tom's loved ones treasured his cooking as well. His spinach quiches became especially famous. From the most elaborate breakfast omelet bar to the simplest (extra crunchy!) peanut butter cracker, he shared love by sharing food.

There was nothing in Tom's life more important to him than his Catholic faith. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph the Worker, Patron of a Happy Death. Tom was a witness of deep faith and love to those around him. He was always on the lookout for Wondrous Moments and St. Joseph Principles, which he used to direct his life. Tom often repeated, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words." He did his best to do just that, no words required.

With his passing, Tom joins in Heaven his son, Matthew; his parents, Tom and Margie; his brothers-in-law, Rudolph (Rudy) Sattler and Warren Turner; and other loved ones. He is survived by his children and their families: Thomas Ainsworth and Lindsay Millard; Erin and Steven (Steve) Boes and their children Colin, Coraline, and Caspian; and Daniel Ainsworth and Corey Hastings and their children Mads and Beck. He is also survived by his uncle Joseph (Joe) Ainsworth and aunt, Priscilla Lewis; his devoted sisters Judith (Judy) Turner, Barbara (Bonnie) Miller, Nancy Sattler, twin Patricia (Pat) and brother-in-law Emmett Hannifin, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews across the country.

A visitation will be held on March 5, from 5-8 PM at Walker Funeral Home (5155 W Sylvania Ave) in Toledo. A rosary will be said at 7 PM. A second visitation will be held on March 6, at 9 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fremont, with the Funeral Mass at 10 AM. Lunch will follow in the parish hall. The burial will be at 2:30 PM at Toledo Memorial Park. If you wish to make a donation in Tom's honor, please consider the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

In closing, we share this message with all of Tom's loved ones: "Peace be with you. Be not afraid."